Poor drainage, compaction and changes in the soil, all relate to water in the soil and to the conditions necessary for good turf growth
surfactants are only good for dry patch. Surfactants certainly help with dry patch, but that is just one symptom they relieve. In order to have uniform turf, you must have uniform rootzone conditions, and this is where surfactants are most effective because they allow water to move more easily into, and through, most soils and their use is
complementary to other practices. Soil surfactants “complete” the management of water in the soil by working in concert with and “between” the more physical practices of cultivation and drainage systems.
Choosing the right soil surfactant depends on things like need at hand, the track record for a particular surfactant, the facility’s budget etc. Different soil surfactant formulations have different performance characteristics, and really are not all the same.
A publication is in the works at the STRI which will identify many of the characteristics of the various soil surfactants currently available in the UK market and will provide some useful information. In addition, to avoid pouring money down the drain, it is always important to require some proof of performance before purchasing a
product. Misleading, unfounded statements are, unfortunately, out there as the surfactant market is not regulated like fertilisers and pesticides. As a buyer, beware! Today many turf managers spend
hundreds or thousands of £’s to hire aeration equipment in an effort to improve the soil environment, increasing air and water movement. However, while aeration may provide vertical entry points for water into a soil environment, it typically only affects about 5% of the surface. Therefore, movement of water into the remainder is a significant factor in the success of such aeration programmes.
Even low levels of soil water repellency can hinder. A good quality soil penetrant, such as Aquatrols Dispatch, applied monthly during the growing season at a rate 4 litres per hectare, can cost as little as £ 29.72 per hectare per month. This product has been shown to increase infiltration and reduce runoff by 20-50%, thus offering water and energy savings. In many cases, these savings quickly surpass the cost of the surfactant. With the increasing costs of products such as fertilisers and pesticides, efficient use of them is very important. Getting
water and the applied products where they need to go is a key part of this. Having fertiliser and applied products carried off-site with run-off water is not only costly but can be damaging to the environment. Aquatrols has the results of university testing which demonstrate that surfactants have a positive effect on the delivery of fertilisers and other materials to the soil as well. These research findings are available to interested turf managers. Improved turfgrass quality, water savings, lower energy costs, increased fertiliser efficiency, more uniform establishment of new swards and a more uniform playing surface are the goal of every turf manager.
While turf managers cannot control the weather or prevent the wear and tear of everyday use of sports surfaces, surfactants, along with other good management practices, can help gain and maintain control over the status of the water in your soil and the quality and durability of your turf surfaces.
Further information from Demie Moore, Corporate Relations, Aquatrols Email:
demie.moore@
aquatrols.com Website:
www.aquatrols.com
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